Pope Francis called the destruction of the City of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine “barbaric,” while speaking on the war in Ukraine after the Regina Caeli.
The Pope called for humanitarian workers to be given access to the Azovstal steel mill, the last point of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol where a thousand civilians remain trapped.
POPE FRANCIS
My thought goes to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, “Mary’s city,” barbarically bombed and destroyed. Once again, from here, I renew my request that safe humanitarian corridors be arranged for the people trapped in the steelworks in that city.
More than two months since the start of the war, the Pope asked for an increase in dialogue to avoid further escalations of conflcit and reduce tensions in the region.
POPE FRANCIS
I wonder, along with so many anguished people, if peace is truly being sought; whether there is the will to avoid a continued military and verbal escalation; whether everything possible is being done to silence the weapons. I beg you, let us not surrender to the logic of violence, to the perverse spiral of weapons.
On International Workers' Day, Pope Francis said that society must work to build an economy that is not fueled by war, and creates dignified work for everyone.
POPE FRANCIS
May [this day] be a stimulus to renew efforts to ensure that work is dignified everywhere and for everyone, and may the world of work inspire the will to develop an economy of peace.
The number of flags in St. Peter's Square continue to increase as pilgrims return to Rome. The Pope greeted those gathered from around the world, including a large group from Texas.
JM
